LTChance's weblog
As a naval officer, I am having a little crisis of faith due to reading several promoted articles that I view as personal attacks on my chosen profession. If you're interested, please read my opinion at http://www.chancelitton.com/?p=186 and submit your own. I'll also post a poll here. Thanks.
Poll: Do Military Members Belong in the Campaign For Liberty?
14 votes so far. [View Results] |
Categories: , Campaign For Liberty, Foreign Policy, US Constitution, War/Military
Tags:
Showing comments 1—10 of 14 [More]
Posted 07/17/09
Caleb Kinley
Hot Springs, AR | Yes, all people who believe in the five principles are wanted in C4L. Just because you're in the military, does not mean that you do not believe in the guiding principles of C4L. I personally appreciate your service to our country and the fact that you are brave enough to stand up for these principles. |
Posted 07/17/09
Fozz
Cockeysville, MD | Thank you for your service. For the record, Ron Paul served in our military as well, so of course you are welcome, as long as you support our main principles. |
Posted 07/17/09
LizLiz
Brooklyn, NY | ^^ Correct Fozz... People forget Paul served - perhaps because he is modest about it unlike the McCains and Kerrys of the world. |
Posted 07/17/09
Remember Gadsden
Stillwater, NJ | Thank you for your service. I voted for the first question but clearly the second one has a certain amount of validity in my mind. Spreading the word of Liberty is a full-time job of *every* American. Those that have taken an oath to defend it are in the best position to spread that word. They are the ones that MUST know what that oath means! You did just that when you said to your instructor “I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and that document gives the authority to invade other countries to the Congress. When did we declare war?” Those are the sorts of questions that every American should ask, ESPECIALLY those Americans serving in the military. I for one welcome all military personnel to join C4L for just this reason. Will there be differing opinions? Yes, and that's what makes this country of ours so great! Freedom isn't free. Again, thank you for your service!
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Posted 07/17/09
BillNM
, NM | Lt. Chance,
I have worked with and for our guys in the Military for over fifty years. They have a tactical mission to perform and do it ably. In the main they are against war but for defense. The political leaders are the fly in the ointment who order them into illegal wars and foolish expeditions. And, I have a few reservations about the top guys in the Military. But, I have the utmost respect for you and your service.
A careful reading of the Constitution Article II Section 2 would indicate that the President is only commander WHEN the Military is called into service. That sounds like to me that we haven't had a commander since WWII.
Given the present day world situation I am persuaded that our Military is necessary; I just think they need to come home and be set for the defense of our country.
After all, per Jefferson, Bankers are more to be feared than standing armies. If they weren't printing the money, our guys would not be dying in foreign lands. |
Posted 07/17/09
USAF Rugy
Anchorage, AK | I am a Senior Airman in the Air Force, but I absolutely hate serving our current government. I only have 3 years left on my contract, and cannot wait to be out. If our government starts a war in another backyard, I will get a lawyer and get out as a conscientious objector. I also refuse to take an illegal order, such as searching homes, putting people into camps, or anything else the government might do in an "emergency." |
Posted 07/17/09
Glenn
Cumming, GA | LTChance,
Here's the ending text to your opinion piece"
"So the questions I pose for feedback from C4L members are:
Is there room for military professionals in the Campaign for Liberty and Libertarian movement?
Do you agree that it is destructive for our informal leaders to endorse off-message opinions that seek to alienate whole sectors of the population?"
Let me get this straight. Your feelings have been hurt because you happen(voluntarily chose) to be a member of a profession that has been duped into committing attrocities around the world for the last century and people are waking up to this fact and are wanting an end to it. Perhaps it is time for a change in profession. I know that in your case, I would be embarrassed by the actions committed by other people in your profession. It is you that are making the attacks personal.
Adam Kokesh woke up and did the right thing. Ron Paul talks about the Universal Soldier and how wars are not possible without them. Every former military person I've talked to reiterates the fact that those who have been involved in military conflicts are the last ones that recommend it.
Now, to your questions.
First off, I have no idea about the "Libertarian movement" nor is one required to indicate their profession for membership in C4L. You are a member if you say you are! It's really simple, the message of freedom is popular. You need to figure out what that means to you - no one else can do that for you. Dr. Paul doesn't tell us, he encourages us to find our own answers. To me, the divisiveness you describe is self imposed. Have you heard of Adam Kokesh? Now that is one liberty-loving dude.
Your second question makes no sense(actually your poll doesn't either). Thank goodness we have people like Lew Rockwell, Thomas Woods, Robert Higgs, Laurance Vance, Scott Horton, Pete Hendrickson, and others taking on subjects that we have been taught to treat as taboo. I do believe that in order for our freedoms to survive, fullscale rejection of national military service will have to occur. I have no problem with the language used to describe some members of your profession.
To close, the whole idea of "military profession" is enough to draw my ire. My god, think of all the resources diverted from productive economic uses to fund the military-industrial complex.
I do not thank nor clap nor praise people that voluntarily choose to work for the State.
I hope this helps your crisis of conscience.
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Posted 07/17/09
Arizona PC
Mesa, AZ | 1. Lew Rockwell is not Campaign for Liberty.
2. None of us in the Campaign for Liberty agree on everything.
3. Your involvement with Campaign for Liberty is at your discretion, not the majority's.
Find some folks in your local area that you are comfortable working with and continue on with your precinct leadership activities.
Whatever drew you here should keep you here. |
Posted 07/17/09
ahoyle1986
Longwood, FL | LT Chance
Loved your blog attached here. As a Sgt. in the Army airborne infantry and someone who was wounded in Iraq, I came across the C4L and Ron Paul's new book at about the same time and had a very similiar experience. Also, I have been personally having the same arguments within myself. I really appreciate you writing such an articulate piece and expressing the opinions of many of us in the service who believe whole heartedly in the main C4L beliefs of liberty and limited government. While it does not bother me to read the Fred Reed piece or anything similar in rhetoric as it a great expression of freedom, I do not see how they are intending to spread the cause of liberty in their comments. Thanks again for being a voice.
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Posted 07/17/09
Mike in Virginia
Fredericksburg, VA | Remember that Ron Paul received more campaign contributions than any other candidate. His beliefs are not in the least bit inconsistent with military service.
Welcome aboard. |
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This movie is absolutely a must-watch. They don't quite directly highlight the Fed and government intervention as the culprits for our financial woes, but its educational about the sheer scope of the problem.
http://www.chancelitton.com/?p=177
Categories: Video, Economy, Monetary Policy
Tags: budget deficit crisis
Showing comments 1—3 of 3
Posted 12/09/08
AnnetteFreeman
gilbert, AZ | thanks for the reminder, that movie is on my to watch list now. |
Posted 12/09/08
canam
San Rafael, CA | It's also been nominated for the Documentary Feature category of the Critics' Choice Awards. |
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A look at a particularly and surprisingly liberty minded children's television program of the 80's:
http://www.chancelitton.com/?p=173
Categories: Education, Media
Tags: children television education
Showing comments 1—2 of 2
Posted 12/09/08
canam
San Rafael, CA | great blog! I never saw Fraggle Rock as a kid...my husband did. Me thinks I'll have to watch it sometime! |
Posted 12/21/08
Heather D
Port Byron, IL | Fraggle Rock was one of my favorites. I had honestly forgotten all about it. |
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This is an article I have written describing why my wife and I are considering homeschooling. It is at http://www.chancelitton.com/?p=164. Homeschooling seems to be in line with ideals of liberty. I'd like to hear members opinions, especially if they are homeschoolers themselves.
Categories: Education
Tags: homeschooling, School, homeschool
Showing comments 1—5 of 5
Posted 11/08/08
Caleb Kinley
Hot Springs, AR | My wife and I have homeschooled our children from the very beginning. Our son is now 11 and my daughter is 8. They've never been to a public school and far outscore the public school kids on the annual testing date. If you decide to homeschool, do not do so unless you become a member of the Home School Legal Foundation at http://www.hslda.org ...
Check it out as they will represent you in the case the state tries to violate state law (and they do sometimes) and try to trick you into getting your kids back in the local school district. Let me know if you decide to do it and I'll give you my membership number as a referral. I pay less than $10.00 per month, but its well worth it. They also run Patrick Henry College, a college that teaches Constitutional Law.
-Caleb- |
Posted 11/08/08
Caleb Kinley
Hot Springs, AR | Actually its called the Homeschool Legal Defense Association |
Posted 11/08/08
Remember Jefferson
Pelion, SC | Hi,
To begin with, let me congratulate you! You're on the path to making a great decision for your children.
I was a homeschooled student for most of my elementary-high school education. I'm now a college honors student with a wide selection of opportunities open to me, and I can tell you that I owe a great deal of my success to being homeschooled. I assure you that I feel plenty well-adjusted. |
Posted 11/09/08
canam
San Rafael, CA | I loved your article. While I'm not a parent (yet) I hope that homeschooling is something I can do someday. Best of luck to you and your family! |
Posted 11/15/08
grantnunnink
Nevada City, CA | I was homeschooled up until 6th grade. I was in public school beyond 6th, and for me, public school was lacking in substance, fulfillment, and genuine understanding. I was taught to memorize an endless slur of facts; facts without context, concepts, or philosophy. These millions of facts were never put into context by these standardized teachers. I never really understood anything with the "help" of public school. I'm an advocate of homeschooling. A choice to homeschool your children is a choice to take personal responsibility for your children and their future, rather than letting our government raise them. |
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Posted by LTChance on 11/06/08Last updated 11/06/08
I sent the following letter to the RNC Chairman at http://www.gop.com/Connect/ContactUs.htm. I encourage everyone to send one of their own.
Mr. Chairman,
As the Republican leadership considers why we lost the election, I hope you will consider the following points:
1) George W. Bush won in 2000 running on traditional Republican principles such as limited government, free market economics, fiscal sanity and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
2) George W. Bush abandoned all of these principles after 9/11.
3) John McCain lost the election running on a platform of war, statist intervention in the economy and an ever-expanding federal government.
My hope is that the Republican leadership will understand that we lost because they forgot our core principles, not because the American people have suddenly decided they want big government to take care of them as the Democrats would have us believe.
Also, there was one man that tried to tell us this before it was too late, but many of us derided him at the time. I think it is past time to include Texas Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul, at the highest levels in the debate over the party's future.
Thank you for your time,
LT C. Chance Litton, USN
----
Come see me at www.chancelitton.com
Categories: , Campaign For Liberty, Republican Party, Action Item, Revolution
Tags: Ron Paul, future, RNC, chairman
Showing comments 1—3 of 3
Posted 11/06/08
JSchwartz
St. Louis, MO | I wrote a letter as well. Yours is well written and respectable. This one of the actions we all need to take. If EVERY member of C4L writes to the chairman, he cannot ignore us. We will prevail. |
Posted 11/06/08
jmgehman
Elverson, PA | I wrote a letter as well to the chairman. I like yours better and will use it to help modify my letter. I commit to sending the letter everyday. I hope more join me. |
Posted 11/06/08
mikegavin12
east meadow, NY | This is best letter, I ever read |
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